Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Last night was bringing back memories of the Volvo Ocean Race for Ross “Rosco” Halcrow (NZL) and Noel “Nitro” Drennan (IRL). Nitro and Rosco last spent the night at sea together when teammates with illbruck Challenge in the 2001-2002 around the world race. Last night, they once again spent a night on board together and watched the sun rise from the deck of the BOR 90 in San Diego Bay.

With the boat now at a mooring rather than at the dock to accommodate for the new wing sail, the team has set up a night watch system. The sailing team and shore teams take turns spending the night on the trimaran and while most of us were rolling into the base this morning at 7:30am, Rosco and Nitro were rolling out looking a little weary and scruffy.

The options for sleeping were not too enticing. It was either on deck on the trampoline at the center hull or down below. They opted for the trampoline.

“It was the coldest off watch I ever had,” Rosco reported. “It turned out there was only one sleeping bag and five of us on board so Nitro and I stayed up all night telling stories.” Rosco will share his findings with teammates on tonight’s watch. “There was a distinct lack of chocolate. We will help get the provisioning right for tonight’s crew: sleeping bags and chocolate.”